48 hours in London for first timers
 

Hello, we are flying into Heathrow London towards the end of June as a first stop before a self drive trip to Ireland (fly home from Dublin). We arrive at 7:00 am, and have two full days and two nights (rail and sail to Dublin on day 3) We have booked a hotel in the Kensington area and will not have a car. We are four, with our kids being 14 and 16 - we would like to have a full itinerary due to the short time, and I was hoping for a suggested itinerary and schedule on the best stuff to see and the most efficient way to see it. Also, any restaurant ideas thrown in would be great too!! Thank you so much :)

You arriving from North America? Are you flying business class?

No, economy, we will do our best to sleep on the plane, and will push through! We may call it an early night, but we will push through the day!!

Wow! Hard to recommend a 2-day itinerary for London. It can easily take a week just to scratch the surface. I'll try to start the ball rolling with what I would do in 2 days but this is after 6 trips to London.

Visit the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey (take the vergers' tour); Walk around Westminster to see the Houses of Parliament; British Museum; walk along the Mall, view Buckingham Palace; have fish and chips at a pub; have afternoon tea at Kensington Palace; see a play your second evening so you are less likely to fall asleep.

This should keep you busy for 2 days. Others will have different ideas. Sounds like you have done little or no research. Get some guidebooks from the library and put the kids to work on the internet. Decide what appeals to all and come back for more help.

Thanks! I have done the research! but wanted the advice of someone who's been there, done that.

We've all researched and come up with two weeks worth of activities, lol, trying to match that with some great advice from the well seasoned, in order to pare it down.

British Museum would be #1 on my list. Don't do it on your first day though. You'll probably be out of it most of the day.

The Indian food in London is great and definitely go to a pub for fish & chips.

Every single person on here will have a different list of 'Musts'. So why don't you tell us what you've researched and what you are thinking of visiting. Then we can help you narrow things down. Since many NA flights arrive the same time as yours, you very likely won't be through immigration and to your hotel until after 10 AM. You say Kensington - but where exactly are you staying? That could mean Kensington proper, Earls Court, or South Kensington (S Kens would be the most convenient )

Your first day will likely be VERY difficult so even though you want to soldier on, that won't be easy. Sites like the Tower of London will take at minimum half a day (including travel time and a light meal). Most families take longer.

<i>Every single person on here will have a different list of 'Musts'.</i>

So very true.

For me, the two iconic sights are Westminster Abbey and The Tower. I'd suggest the Tower for your first day, as it's partially outside and the tours are amusing. I think, given jet lag, that will be it for day one.

After the Abbey, maybe walk past Parliament and through St James Park. You're near quite a few sights here -- consult a map!

My musts are about the same as mamcalice but skip Tea.
But it would be really hard to fit all of this in two days.
Since you are in Kensington the museums are close and the kids might like the Natural History museum, the Science museum or the V & A museum.

TEA???

You don't have time for a tea service.

Go to the Tower. Go to the Abbey. Those should be the centerpieces of your two days. Use the Tube, the buses will take too bloody long.

You have 1.5 days (even w/ a 0700 arrival). At least the half day will be jet lagged so figure you can manage three major sites (ex. British Museum, Tower of London, Westminster abbey). If you are all VERY resilient you might squeeze in one additional but that would be difficult.

And remember to build in travel time . . . High street Kensington to Tower Hill for instance takes about 30 minutes.

Tower of London, day 2, as soon as it opens.

Beyond that, either day, spend some time around Westminster, Buckingham Palace and the view of the Parliament (not that order but you get it). Consider the Eye if needing a "fun" thing for the kids.

I can see popping into the British Museum for a surgical strike (Rosetta stone, etc.). I would also recommend hitting areas/places that you always hear about: Picadilly Circus, Covent Gardent for example. (Covent is over rated in my memory BUT it is kind of synonymous with London.) To that end I could see you popping into Harrod's.

Whatever you do, group things on a map to save travel time.

>>I can see popping into the British Museum for a surgical strike (Rosetta stone, etc.).<<

Something like this, perhaps. http://www.britishmuseum.org/visitin...s/3_hours.aspx or this http://www.britishmuseum.org/visitin...ls/1_hour.aspx

Lee Ann

Which Kensington area? High Street, West Kens, South Kens? If around High Street, well, you'll definitely need the Tube because you'll be a bit far off from the Tower and not so close to Westminster either.

Thank you for the replies and suggestions so far, our hotel is Earls Court in Kensington, 5 minute walk from the tube. These are some of the things on our wish list, Piccadilly Circus, Abbey Road, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Harrods, kensington palace, Diana Memorial, a game called Clue Quest (or hint hunt)' Camden Market, London Eye, London Museum. I know it's a lot, but it's a wish list. I am considering extending the stay one more night, and cut one of the 13 nights in Ireland - we are flexible as we are doing the rail / sail to Dublin - I can easily trim one night in Dublin. Clue Quest looked really fun, but might be out of the way - and not Iconic London but we'll see. Oh yes, and we were thinking of We Will Rock You on the second night - thoughts on all the above? Doable in 3 days?

Oops, just saw that We Will Rock You ends on May 31

I recommend going on the Eye at dusk/night then heading to dinner. Beautiful view of London! Make sure to buy tickets in advance- you'll be able to skip the line.

Yeah, your first day I'd not expect to actually be at anything until early afternoon. You have a good chance of getting settled in, regrouping, exploring the neighborhood near your rooms by lunch, but I wouldn't PLAN anything else for certain.

For a first fast trip I'd not put the London Museum on a list.

However, the BRITISH Museum is among my top 4 "must-sees" and I've been 5 times and will go next visit too.

Most of the places you list on your "wish list" MIGHT be or COULD be just walk-throughs/bys--?? I've not been IN Kensington Palace but it certainly never made it to my top list and gets rather mixed reactions, I think. I have walked by and around it, gladly.

FYI, my top 4, each taking about half a day at least--The Tower of London and environs, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and environs, and St. Paul's and around it. I've been on the Eye--with students the age of your kids--they loved it, I thought it was ok, glad I did it on my 5th trip, never gonna be on my Must-Sees with all the other stuff to do.

Have much fun!!

Map your interests. That might help you see what you can and can't see. Also, it may open up some opportunities for other visits while you are "in the area" anyway.

Hi madforireland! I see you are a Canadian– from where?. I spent more than half my life in Toronto and then in Victoria.

I strongly urge you to trim one night from Dublin. Dublin is my home town, and I visit regularly to see family, but would not be there that much but for family. Its a sweet small city, and has some nice things to see, but doesn’t hold a candle compared to London, where I live, which I think is the finest city in the world IMO.

When I used to travel from Canada to London, I would fight the jet-lag and do almost a full day in London on the first day. If you have two teenagers, then you are clearly young enough to do this. This is clearly easier when flying from the East Coast (the West coast can be a killer).

If the weather is fine, I suggest spending most of your time walking (your guide books should have suggested walking tours).

For the major sites, it is imperative you get an early start and be first in, as it can get very crowded, although late June is not so very bad. Hopefully, its not a weekend.

This website is your friend – you can find your way all over London: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

I offer this itinerary, my favourite parts of London, but should warn you, that I am a WALKER, and its nothing for me to walk 9 hours a day, so this itinerary may be pushing it.

Day One (arrival): Knightsbridge and Chelsea – POSH London

Given your hotel location, I would suggest staying local-ish for day one.

Take the 74 bus (or you can walk it in 25 mins) to the Victoria and Albert Museum (one of the finest in decorative arts museums in the world). The kids might prefer the Science Museum or the Natural History Museum – both are great. Spend some time in one or two.

You will start to flag in the afternoon, so have a leisurely lunch in the area. Eat protein, which helps me recover from jetlag.

Then explore the area (its like a massively bigger and far wealthier version of a combination of Yorkville and Rosedale – where the well-heeled live), including Harrods, Sloane Street and Square, down the King’s Road, through Chelsea.

Have an early dinner in the area (Indian or Thai perhaps to blow the cobwebs away) and treat yourself to a taxi back to your hotel for an early night. Taxis in London for four people often work out reasonable, and on the first day, don’t deny yourself.

Day two: The River and the Parks

I love the river – its the heart and soul of London.

Start with the Tower of London first thing – really stunning and the kids will love it. Then, hop in the Clipper boat at the Tower (http://www.thamesclippers.com/), and travel up the river as far as it goes on the East side, to get the best view of London IMO – The magnificence of London is best appreciated from the river (and its is CHEAP!) and get off at London Eye.

Do the London Eye (http://www.londoneye.com/), but be prepared for long line-ups if it is the weekend. You might also want to check out the London Aquarium if you have time (http://www.visitsealife.com/london/ - Have not been, but some like it; let the kids decide).

Its only a 15 minute walk from there to Westminster Abbey, which is a ‘must see’, and worth every penny.

At some point between the Eye and the Abbey, you need to consider lunch. You probably don’t want to waste time in a restaurant when there is so much to see. You may just want to pick up a sandwich at one of the many sandwich shops (Pret a Manager, EAT are very good and healthy offerings).

At this point, its probably about 4-5 pm. Praying the weather is good for you, this is a wonderful time to walk through some of London’s parks, and toward Buckingham Palace. Head toward St. James Park, wander around, and then onto the Mall, where you get a great view of Buckingham Palace. Not sure what the opening times are for Buckingham Palace, but if open late, you may be able to visit (book ahead before you leave).

If your can’t visit, then keep walking, through Green Park to Hyde Park Corner. Make a decision about dinner and theatre. You can dine in and around there, or jump on the underground back to our hotel to rest a bit and dine locally, or head back to the theatre district for a play, or both.

Day Three: Explore the British Museum and Bloomsbury, Regency London and Oxford Street, maybe Marylebone

Up early again, and straight to the British Museum (http://www.britishmuseum.org/), which is overwhelming - I could pitch a tent in the foyer and spend a week there, so it is important you decide what you want to see. I also warn you it is tiring, as the marble floors kills the feet and back, so you need to time-box to about 3-4 hours. The problem is that it is tough to leave it. The highpoints (for me) are the Elgin Marbles (from the Parthenon), the Egyptian rooms (there are MANY) including the Rosetta stone, and the Assyrian rooms, but you must decide, as there are so very many treasures.

Have lunch in the area, (or maybe wait till you get to Oxford Circus), and explore Bloomsbury (again, your guidebook should provide a walking tour).

Then head West, by foot, bus or underground, to Oxford Circus. You can head south down Regent Street, visiting Liberties of London (iconic) to Piccadilly Circus (I have never seen the charm of this).

Then walk along Piccadilly (West). First stop will be the Burlington Arcade ( http://www.burlington-arcade.co.uk/), then the Piccadilly Arcade (http://www.piccadilly-arcade.com/. Then Fortnum’s (http://www.fortnumandmason.com/?gcli...FZQZtAodBUIAVA) – you will love this emporium. There is nothing like it in Canada. Buy tea and macaroons.

Then, up Bond Street (one of the loveliest shopping streets with excellent designer shops), where you can admire the shop windows, until you reach Oxford Street. The turn left on Oxford Street to Selfridges (owned by Galen Weston (Holt Renfrew) and run by his daughter). It is a very impressive department store, and boasts the biggest shoe department in the world.

Now, this is a bit of a ‘girl’s tour’ , so your husband and kids may lose interest. Instead of this, you might consider Buckingham Palace, if you did not see the day before.

You could also consider heading up to Marylebone, which is a nice ‘village’ (and has some very good restaurants (I can recommend one in particular that serves excellent pizza and pasta) within walking distance of Oxford Street, to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madame Tussaud’s (don’t let the purists discourage you – as a teenager, I absolutely LOVED it!). You might consider sending your husband and the kids off there, while you enjoy the ‘girl’s tour’.

Dinner is sorted: you must go to Chinatown and enjoy really good Chinese food, on a par with anything in Toronto or Vancouver – I promise, you will not be disappointed, and this will be your last chance to get any really good exotic food, as you will be spending the next 10 days in Ireland. I recommend ‘Gerrard’s Corner’, restaurant (http://www.gerrardscorner.co.uk/emain.htm - corner of Wardour and Gerrard’s Corner). I was introduced to it by a Foderite expert (Kavey), and have been going for years, and it never disappoints.

This is how I would spend three days in London, as I hope you will consider adding a day from your Dublin trip. I know I have ditched some of your ‘wants’, and did so because to make best use of your short time, I think you need to concentrate on ‘areas’ and not spend time in the underground, trying to cover this vast city.

Hope this helps.

Best regards ... Ger